Highlights of the Off-Season Trade Explosion

The 1983-84 off-season is upon us, and it didn’t take long for business to pick up. It has been less than a week since the conclusion of the World Series, and there have already been 33 trades. Let’s take a look at four of the biggest deals so far.

The San Diego Padres receive: SP Jason Orlando and cash considerations.

The Colorado Rockies receive: SPs Ramon Hernandez and Alberto Lopez, and SS Josh Shorter.

Rumored since before the playoffs began, the first deal of the off-season was struck between the Padres and Rockies. The Padres, hoping to come out of a long rebuilding process in the next couple seasons, set the tone for their off-season by bringing in ace Jason Orlando. Orlando has been stellar the past few seasons, averaging about 5.6 WAR and a well above-average FIP in the high-scoring environment of Coors field. The Padres didn’t get him cheaply, though. They were forced to give up the #17 prospect in baseball Ramon Hernandez, a 19-year-old righty with immense potential, as well as youngsters Alberto Lopez and Josh Shorter.

The San Francisco Giants receive: RF Mitch Woodward and SS Antonio Perez.

The Cincinnati Reds receive: SP Alejandro Lopez and SS Bobby Ciesielski.

Despite going all the way to the World Series, the Giants have seemed much more mortal this season than in years past. In a move to fight this regression, they reached an agreement with a longtime rival, the Cincinnati Reds, to acquire MVP-hopeful Mitch Woodward and the aging but still talented Antonio Perez. In return, the Reds received #1 prospect Alejandro Lopez, a left-handed pitcher expected to be a frontline starter soon, and Bobby Ciesielski, an incredibly slick defender with a passable bat. The Reds also shed about $4 million in guaranteed salaries over the next few years.

The Chicago White Sox receive: LF Tony Acosta and RF Brad Pecora.

The California Angels receive: RF Joe Goergen, RP Adam Fox, and SP Bubba DuMont.

Two of the top teams in the AL, the White Sox and the Angels, reached a deal to swap some top-tier talent. The Angels pushed ahead in win-now mode, receiving HR and RBI leader Joe Goergen, as well as talented lefty bullpen arm Adam Fox and SP prospect Bubba DuMont. The White Sox got some young outfield talent, receiving frequently-traded Tony Acosta, who has been a very effective hitter in his limited major league experience, and Brad Pecora, a guy who does just about everything on the diamond well.

The Pittsburgh Pirates receive: SP Rich Hare.

The Chicago White Sox receive: SPs Andres Castro and Curtis Rile, and CF Rogelio Martinez.

Sensing some weakness in the NL, the Pirates haven’t hesitated to go all-in this off-season. The headliner for them so far has been acquiring Rich Hare from the White Sox. Hare passed 10 years of service time this year, and he has been a great pitcher for much of that decade. He returned to Chicago in 1982 after signing a massive 5-year, $6.6 million dollar deal, and proceeded to lead the AL in WAR. He stepped back a bit in 1983 but still had elite production. The White Sox kept in step with their other major deal this off-season by trading established major league talent for young guys with upside. Fronting the package for Hare is Andres Castro, a top pitching prospect who boasts a wide arsenal, including a changeup that projects to be one of the best in baseball. Also headed to Chicago are Rogelio Martinez and Curtis Rile, two raw, young prospects with good potential.